We’re interested in everything the Waisman Center does. We also believe that we should give back to our alma mater.

William Willis (’50 BA L&S, ’52 LLB LAW), married to Doris (’50 BS L&S)

Preserving Our Intellectual Heritage

The largest library on the Madison campus--and in the state of Wisconsin--is Memorial Library. It holds more than 3.4 million volumes, primarily research and reference material in the social sciences and humanities. The stacks are full of books printed on brittle, acid-based paper, which was used heavily in publishing from the mid-nineteenth century until recently. Such paper is disintegrating as it ages. The library also receives books from many areas of the world where acidic paper is still the norm.

The work of future generations of scholars and students will depend on our success in preserving the intellectual works of earlier generations. The UW-Madison Libraries include truly great collections covering the entire history of the printed word.

The task of preserving and providing long-term access to irreplaceable books, manuscripts, pictures, and documents cannot be accomplished without the support of donors.
The Preservation Fund: Ongoing Gifts

Named Endowment for the Conservation and Preservation of Printed Works: $100,000

Preserving Musical Culture: $100,000

UW-Libraries Image Repository: (Providing preservation and access to image collections for research and teaching, this is a new venture in preserving scholarly research materials. It has been demonstrated by the libraries' groundbreaking AfricaFocus and the newly available worldwide access to treasures found in the growing Digital Library of the Decorative Arts.): $50,000